Hong Kong prosecutor leading national security law case against 47 opposition figures takes key justice department role

The appointment of Maggie Yang as director of public prosecutions comes two weeks after she joined justice secretary Teresa Cheng on a trip to Beijing

The long-time prosecutor has risen to greater prominence since her predecessor, David Leung, stepped down amid an internal row, shortly after the security law was imposed

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Hong Kong’s Department of Justice has a new head of prosecutions. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 12:26pm, 13 Aug 2021Updated: 11:27pm, 13 Aug 2021

A senior Hong Kong prosecutor leading the case against 47 opposition figures charged under the national security law has been appointed head of the justice department’s prosecutorial branch.

Maggie Yang Mei-kei, formerly principal government counsel, was named director of public prosecutions on Friday, a spokesman from the Department of Justice announced.

Sources told the Post the appointment came just two weeks after Yang accompanied Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah on a trip to Beijing.

Cheng on Friday described Yang as “well-qualified”, with solid professional knowledge, experience in criminal law and strong leadership skills.

Hong Kong’s Department of Justice on Friday named Maggie Yang director of prosecutions. Photo: Handout

“Ms Yang is a lawyer of outstanding abilities and integrity. I am confident she is competent to lead the prosecutions division to rise to the challenges ahead and discharge her role as the director of public prosecutions in a fair and impartial manner,” she said.